BENCHWARMER

Ramon S. Dacawi
California BIBAK officers / Tribute to YMCA builders

People who trace their roots to the Cordillera by birth, blood, heart, choice and by marriage and now settled on both ends of California in the United States, will install their officers under their respective BIBAK chapters during their annual reunions this Christmas.

Art Bulayo, a home care manager in San Leandro, will lead officers of BIBAK-Northern California who will take their oath before American lawyer David Samuelsen, an Igorot by marriage, in a year-end program on Dec. 14 in Union City within the San Francisco Bay Area.

Bob Aliping, a US Navy serviceman, will be installed president of the BIBAK chapter in San Diego on Dec. 20, as per message from Igorot expats Miggs Meru and Fr. Leonard Oakes.

Bulayo, a native of Kapangan, Benguet, will serve for three years. He succeeds outgoing president, Dr. Nap Batalao, a native of Kalinga. Aliping, who hails from Bauko, Mt. Province and Baguio, will take on from outgoing president Jesse Robbie Mina for a one-year term. Aliping and Bulayo were elected by acclamation.

Both organizations are part of a growing number of BIBAK chapters abroad organized expats and their children established to preserve and promote the identity and cultural heritage of their native Cordillera Region, to which they reach out through development support projects.

Joel Aliping, younger brother of Bob and whose house in El Sobrante serves as home of Cordillerans visiting the West Coast, will succeed Bulayo as vice-president of the Northern California chapter.

Other BIBAK-NC officers are Fina Pengosro – secretary, Judith Dulay – asst. secretary, Theodora Pengosro – treasurer, Simona Cecille – asst. treasurer, Sabrena Somebang – auditor, and John Dayte, Dorothy Pucay and Mark Watan – press relations officers.

Composing the board of directors are Salve Agiao, Gloria Batalao, Tony Buangan, Edgar Cadwising, Johnny Mana-a, Leonard Oakes, Madeline Pengosro and Doroteo Tade.

Completing the BIBAK San Diego leadership line-up are Edward Saidro – vice-president, Susan Anguitay and Darlene Basallo – secretaries, Eileen Esteban Lay - - treasurer, Tessie Chaong – auditor, Marlene Allan – press relations officer, and John Allan – sergeant-at-arms.
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The YMCA of Baguio last Monday paid tribute to some of its builders to mark its 67th foundation as a chapter of the international youth service organization focused on the development of spirit, mind and body.

Eight posthumous awards were presented, with the late Court of Appeals Justice Romeo Brawner leading the honorees. Brawner, a former Commission on Elections commissioner, served the YMCA as director and in various capacities.

With him in the roster were former directors Manuel de Leon, Rafael Clemente and Robert Delim, Shin-Shin Karatedo master Arsenio Bawingan Jr., judo teachers Jerry Dino and Maritess Patol, and Edlario Campus who served with the staff.

Five international campaigners led the sports awardees – karateka George Segundo (Shin-Shin) and taekwondo players Iyra April Tindoc, Ivan Nino Tindoc, Elizabeth Michelle Bitog and Gilbert Balancar.

Siblings Christopher Manuel and Melissa de Leon, both of the Sphinx Martial Arts Club founded by their late father, topped the awardees in the national participation category. Both will play for Baguio in the arnis event of the National Sports Olympics Festival in Cagayan de Oro this week.

Also honored in the national category were Claire Dongaas (Sphinx), Hannah Colas (Sphinx), badminton coaches and players Ferdinand Cudao, Shirley Cudao, Pablo Valdez and Jay Claveria, karatekas Gichin Mangatam and Kevin Garcia of the Japan Karate Association, Jethro Dagas and Tisha Dogup of Shin-Shin.

Body-builders Gideon Liwanen, Danilo Tualla and Agustino Lizardo III of the Bodybuilding Club received the regional participation award. The Y led by president, Dr. Tedler Depaynos, presented the academic award to Lani Erquisa of the UB Science High, Bernardita Quela of the Baguio City National High, Letty Chawag of the University of the Cordillerasand Minerva Austria of the Mary Immaculate School.

This year’s volunteer award went to Prudencio Neri of the parents, teachers and community association and bodybuilding club mainstays Gideon Liwanen, Mario Fabro, Eddie Fernandez, Johnbson Ap-apid, Wingie Ursabia, Alfredo Dimangna Jr., Reymundo Grifalda, Al Mirabueno and Menard Dangbis.

Earlier in the day, pre-schoolers Kaiserlyn Holly Alos and Antonio Edgardo Agliam reigned as “Little Miss and Mr. YMCA” in an annual contest initiated by pre-school principal Imelda Runas. Kaiserlyn, also bagged the talent award while first runner-up Karylle Aliza Therese San Pedro was best in costume. Jowi Clyde Nerona finished second in the boys’ category.

Rounding up the top six pairs were Ansherina Danielle Cardines and Rhaizon Chris Maitim, Zayenne Kirair Panlasigui and Ivan Patrick Lao, Gemiewa Sandrino and Russel Johnm Lasigan, Andrea Gerielle Dulay and Kent Veron.

Ten-year old Reemuel James Rivera upstaged his 13-year old brother John Manree for the gold in the 15-under three-kilometer bracket of the annual fun run staged last Sunday.

Kurt Willy Amdengan was third. Jennyseph Cordoviz, Jhalaica Cordoviz and Classy Twain Linda came in that order in the girls’ side, as per results collated by the staff of program administrator Bobby Vinluan. Volunteer Prudencio Neri received a special award as the oldest runner.

Marvin Mariano topped the 5K under-40, followed by Agustin Lizrdo and Adrian Datu. Korean volunteer students Lee Hyun Kyoung and Bae Ni Eun led the women’s side, towing Trizie Refuerzo and Zea Toquero. Maj. Jose Wacangan ruled the 40-over 5K, towing runners-up Rogelio Rivera and Thomas Dangos while Janet Sucdalan was unchallenged in the women’s side.

Last Friday, the Y chapter escorted 10 Baguio pupils and high school students for the National YMCA Academic Olympics yesterday in Manila. The trio of Johann David Fianza, Nehemiah Awisen and Nairah Bati-il of the Hope Christian Academy were entered in the elementary level of the Bible Quiz Bee while Ruth Villablanca, Yumiko Paulo Morales and Nina Calano were fielded in the high school bracket.

Other Baguio bets who topped their events in the recent regional eliminations were Shaia Mae Israel of the Mary Immaculate School in draw-and-tell, Nicole Foronda of the UB Science High School in extemporaneous speech, Sarah Estacio (UBSHS) in vocal solo and Hannah Bustillos (USHS) in essay writing. .